Dark Horse Solicitations - March '05

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Two feudal kingdoms, Midland and Chuder, battle for supremacy in what will become the final clash in a century-long struggle. Spearheading the Midland forces is the Band of the Hawk, a legendary cadre of elite mercenaries led by the charismatic Griffith and with the fearless Guts as its berserker champion. The Hawks' ferocity, courage, and fearsome skills-not to mention Guts' enormous broadsword-are just what Midland needs to turn the bloody tide, but during the fray, Guts and Griffith's most trusted lieutenant, Casca, fall together from a cliff into a raging river. Both miraculously survive-barely-and Guts tends to Casca's wounds as she tells of having her life saved by Griffith, her induction into the Band of the Hawk, and her deep feelings toward Griffith. And she even seems to finally be warming up to the grim Guts. But this greeting-card moment won't last long, for Chuder warriors are on the prowl, and the only greetings they carry are on the points of their spears!

Kidnapped and bound by three Itto-ryü warriors, Rin is unable to warn Manji that he's heading into a trap. To make matters worse, the Itto-ryü possess a large dose of kessen-satsu, the only poison known to damage Manji's immortal blood and severely cripple his regenerative abilities. After last month's odd resolution, is Giichi following Manji in order to help rescue Rin…or will he just stick around long enough to finish off any survivors? This first chapter of Samura's "Trickster" slugfest leads into next month's double-sized 100th issue!

• Winner of Japan's prestigious Media Arts Award and America's own Will Eisner Award.
• Thirteen volumes of this modern classic are available in the Dark Horse backlist!

As computers explode and deadly insects pour out of the walls of the team's new underground headquarters, Johann, possessed by the ghosts of the Nazi scientists, struggles to stop the madman who's recovered the Spear of Destiny. Back in Rhode Island, Abe Sapien concludes matters with his dead wife.

Haruo Hattori's the hottest country import that Tokyo's ever seen. Working in one of the most happening Hostess bars in the notorious Ginza, Haruo gets all the attention she could ever want-and all she'd never want, since she's trying to stay loyal to her boyfriend back home. But that's not easy when a made-of-money bachelor with marriage on his mind gives Haruo a nice little present for her 19th birthday, just a l'il 'ol Ferrari! Collecting stories from issues #28-36 of the monthly Super Manga Blast! series.

Club 9 is uproarious slice-of-life, fish-out-of-water comedy as crafted by the inimitable creator of What's Michael?, Makoto Kobayashi. A hilarious look at Tokyo nightlife and Japanese culture, Club 9 is flat-out, fresh-off-the-farm fun!

Thoth-amon, the legendary sorceror who will plague Conan throughout his life, launches his first attack, as the second story arc of this award-winning, critically lauded series concludes.

A magical battle explodes, tearing up a forgotten temple as Conan and his assassin cohort take on the most evil man of the ancient world.

• "From the point we're at now, if it gets any better, we'll have to be like Spinal Tap and add an 11 to our scale." -411mania.com
• Fanboyplanet.com says "Busiek's expansion on the works of Robert E. Howard captures the same sense of wild adventure and Cary Nord's rough pencils still charge the work with that raw energy we felt way back in issue #0."

Trapped in an alien's rock-hard body, former speechwriter Ron Lithgow is an accidental celebrity who currently uses his high profile as Concrete to promote the agenda of a pizza mogul. While an unsettling figure studies the controversial population-control campaign, Concrete's message becomes exaggerated, distorted, and flat-out parodied. And why can't he stop itching?! Meanwhile, though aide Larry Munro might recognize that his recent judgment was awful, there's only so long until the fallout hits the fan. Longtime readers will not want to miss this issue's shocking ending! Be sure to pick up Paul Chadwick's most mature Concrete miniseries yet.

The cure to the vampire plague lies dead center in the middle of the undead nation, and the scientists need military help to get it out-but the rest of the world doesn't want America back on its feet. Even for the doctors and soldiers who hold the cure, saving the country takes a backseat to surviving one more night in these United States.

The biggest surprise to the American forces comes when they realize the role that one small boy plays in their mission-a boy it seems almost impossible to protect.

When Physicist Doctor Phillip Solar's experimental nuclear power caused him to absorb a dangerous amount of atomic radiation, the scientist miraculously survived only to find that he had gained incredible powers over matter and energy. Now, Solar must isolate himself from others to avoid exposing them to the same harmful deadly radiation that endows him with his extraordinary gifts. But when danger and disaster threaten the innocent, Solar leaps into action as The Man of the Atom!

This archive collection reprints seven more issues, #8-#14, of Gold Key's original Doctor Solar comic-book series, the revolutionary science fiction adventure that gave birth to one of comics' most distinctive and beloved superheroes. Illustrated by Frank Bolle and written by Paul S. Newman, one of the most prolific comic-book scribes of all time.

EISNER/MILLER TPBAvailable April 2005, to coincide with the Sin City movie!
WILL EISNER (W/A) and FRANK MILLER (W/A)
On sale April 27, SC, 350pg, b&w, 6" x 9", $19.95

Finally available this April is a fascinating discourse between two of this medium's greatest contributors-living comics legend Will Eisner and Sin City creator and co-director Frank Miller. It would be hard to imagine any creators who have affected their chosen medium more than Eisner and Miller have influenced the world of comic books and graphic novels. Now, life-long comics fans and culture-curious readers are invited to listen in as a legendary innovator and godfather of sequential art (Eisner) and the modern master of cinematic comics storytelling (Miller) discuss one on one, in an intimate interview format, the ins-and-outs of this absorbing and often controversial art form.

Eisner/Miller is widely illustrated and features rare, behind-the-scenes photos of Eisner, Miller, and other notable creators.

Jonathan Fierce, a profiler for the FBI gifted with psychic abilities, failed to stop an explosion which has just killed his team of fellow agents, the only real family he's ever had. The FBI wants to charge him with the crime. Now he's being hunted by the Feds and is on the run from the crime syndicate that killed his team. Miraculously, Fierce can hear the voices of his slain teammates, giving him the skills and abilities to become a one-man strike force. Now he's going deep under cover into the Jamaican underworld to strike at the heart of the syndicate and uncover the facts behind the conspiracy against him. Collecting the four-issue series.

Jeremy and Robert Love, the creative force behind Gettosake Entertainment and the masterminds who brought comics fans Midnight Mover, now bring you the slickest, most stylish and suspenseful action thriller on stands today.

The most diverse volume of Sin City material available, Booze, Broads, & Bullets showcases Frank Miller's vignettes and color experiments from throughout the years of his groundbreaking crime series, and includes art created especially for the original collection. A good entry point for new readers wondering what Sin City is all about-or longtime readers who can't get enough-Miller has painted a gritty, decadent, and gloriously dirty portrait. Have a taste of the city…just one little taste. Just one.

• Sin City will be a major motion picture in 2005, directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, SpyKids) and featuring a cast of Hollywood all-stars. Demand has already increased for these highly sought-after titles.
• All of the Sin City titles will be redesigned by award-winning book designer, Chip Kidd!

Marking a departure for Miller from an entire career of serialized stories, this 128-page epic spilled out of him all at once…and you can't help but read it the same way! Family Values is a milestone among Miller's work, allowing him enough room to tell this classic story of grit and revenge exactly the way he wanted to. With deadly Miho running on roller-blades, Dwight running on adrenaline, and the Sin City mob on clean-up detail, this yarn from the Town Without Pity is not to be missed.

• Sin City will be a major motion picture in 2005, directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, SpyKids) and featuring a cast of Hollywood all-stars. Demand has already increased for these highly sought-after titles.
• This is a brand-new edition of the Harvey and Eisner Award-winning volume-Miller's first non-serialized graphic novel! With redesigns cover by Chipp Kidd.

In the Town Without Pity, good men are hard to find. Enter Wallace, a man of mystery. He's a nice guy who's very good at killing people. Out for an evening drive along the beach, he meets the woman of his dreams-and she's trying to kill herself. Why? And who are the shadowy cabal of power brokers who wrench her from his arms? When will all hell break loose? Comics legend Frank Miller, creator of the groundbreaking Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, pounds out his longest S in City graphic novel to date-a bare-knuckle barrage of brutal action, dark secrets, and heroic sacrifice. What the hell-it's a love story! The most recent story in Miller's gritty crime saga, Hell and Back includes color sections and pinups by a who's who of comics luminaries.

• The major-motion picture release of Frank Miller's critically acclaimed series Sin City is due in theaters in spring 2005 from Miramax Studios. Demand has already increased for these highly sought-after titles.
• This brand-new edition features a fantastic pinup gallery with the likes of Geof Darrow, Gary Gianni, Jason Pearson, Matt Wagner, and more-including colorist Lynn Varley's first comics illustration!
• All of the Sin City titles will be redesigned by award-winning book designer, Chip Kidd!

THE GOON #11ERIC POWELL (W/A)
On sale March 23, FC, 32pg, $2.99
The Goon kicks off a new story arc with this issue wherein the mad scientist and uneasy ally of the Goon, Dr. Hieronymous Alloy, begins to break down…literally. His metallic skin is beginning to oxidize and unless an element can be found to reverse the process, Alloy will most certainly rust over and die. As the doctor isolates the problem, it becomes apparent that the element he seeks cannot be found on this world. His only chance is to send an unsuspecting Goon and Franky to a parallel universe to find the key to his antidote.

Goon and Franky must fight an absurd array of strange and otherworldly monsters from out of space and time in classic Wally Wood tradition. Written and drawn by Eisner Award-winning creator Eric Powell, with stunning painted covers, The Goon is not to be missed.

Welcome to the vampire city of Saruta, where the sun never rises, and all the vampire children love trying to stay up late. Hipira-Kun is a precocious young vampire whose best friend is a fairy named Soul. Hipira-Kun and Soul are an odd couple to say the least, and their games, pranks, and adventures are extraordinary even for dwellers of this supernatural city.

Hipira: The Little Vampire is a delightfully bright twist to traditionally dark subject matter in the spirit of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Monsters, Inc. Filled with fun, wonder, and heart, the illustrations look like they have been pulled off the screen of a top-flight animated feature. Hipira is a children's book like no other, one that will appeal to readers of all ages.

This special dual origin issue, "The cruel creation of me," chronicles how this version of Ariel Chylde came to become "she who channels shadow"! Ariel also makes a mysterious new friend named Perry, with secrets of his own, who may be more than he seems! How is he connected to the sinister Sisters of Shadow, and whose side will he choose when battle lines are drawn in the streets of Salem and they tighten their deadly grip? And don't miss an unexpected visit from Ariel's zombie mother, it's gonna be wild!

Darkchylde creator Randy Queen returns to comics to write, draw, and re-imagine for an all- ages audience, the character that made him famous! Featuring the most compelling story and gorgeous art of his career, this is THE all-ages release of the year! "Shadowmaker" part 2 is not to be missed, and sure to be embraced by Darkchylde's legion of worldwide fans!

Whether she's weaving hilarious, sprawling tales while babysitting the terrible tot Alvin, keeping her chubby chum Tubby and his clubhouse cronies in line, or making nice with the friendly ghost she catches reading "People Stories" in her bedroom, Little Lulu is both "Everygirl" and an undeniable one-of-a-kind! Dark Horse Books is proud to present, for the first time ever, the complete run of John Stanley and Irving Tripp's legendary run of classic Marge's Little Lulu comics in convenient, reader-friendly paperback volumes. Critically acclaimed and widely regarded as one of the most classic comics ever published, Little Lulu is an all-ages treasure, with stories funny and fresh enough to stand the test of time.

• From her first appearances in The Saturday Evening Post in the mid-1930s through her current long-running daily cartoon show on HBO Family, Little Lulu is a beloved cultural icon all over the world.
• Classic comics for children of all ages.

After an assault by a mysterious and monstrous milkman, a typical American housewife has finally had too much of her hideous, deranged family, in this twisted parody of a Norman Rockwell image as painted by serial-killing folk-artist John Wayne Gacy. She takes a simple word of advice from her idol, the perfect 1950's mom on her television screen-"Discipline."

Joe Casey (Superman, The Intimates, Wildcats) and Steve Parkhouse (Bojeffries Saga, The Invisibles) have created the most shocking of all Dark Horse's new brand of horror comics.

"The milk in this extremist suburban nightmare got its pallor from being bled white, and instead of crying over it being spilt, I found myself cringing. Neighbor, pull the drapes of your mind's eye while you still can." -Gary Butler, Rue Morgue Magazine

The samurai Shiro has traveled thousands of miles and fought countless battles in pursuit of his kidnapped lover Yoshiko. Now, finally, he's found her. She is imprisoned within fabulous Versailles as a plaything for France's Sun King, Louis XIV! Neither palace walls nor the blades of the king's Musketeers will keep Shiro from her side. But with a plot to assassinate the king afoot, will the lovers survive a reunion? The amazing artwork of Luke Ross brings Ron Marz's story of adventure and intrigue to stunning life!

• "Wow. Samurai battle in feudal Japan, Chinese warlords, French Musketeers, honor, sacrifice, long-lost love in Paris. Man, this book has everything! Ron Marz and Luke Ross are in top form with this tale. Samurai: Heaven and Earth is one of the few books that I'm eagerly awaiting." -Frank Cho

Striking similarities between Lone Wolf & Cub and Koike and Kojima's sidebar storyline Samurai Executioner (known as Kubikiri Asa in Japan) are evident in the cool attitude, rebellious honor, and unflappable bushido of the lead characters of both series, but readers will delight in the whole new genre of Edo-era samurai spirit in Samurai Executioner. Wrapped tightly around a core of crime fiction, we enter a world of harsh, and violent crime, and the forces up against it.

In this volume, after a few initial stories of criminals' lives leading to execution, we meet two Edo-era police officers and explore their specialized methods of capturing crafty criminals. Then, in Koike's signature fashion, the volume ends with a psycho killer and her grueling and violent end. It's like a history lesson, art education, and pulp sensation, all wrapped up in one fantastic series.

• Never before published in America, Samurai Executioner was the companion to one of the most seminal works of manga, Lone Wolf & Cub!
• Dark Horse has sold over 800,000 copies of Lone Wolf & Cub since 2000!
• Each volume comes shrink wrapped and carries an 18+ content advisory.

Imperial Slave Ships are coming to take possession of the conquered population of Jabiim, and the only thing standing between them and the successful completion of their mission are two Rebel X-wing pilots. Hobbie Klivian and Wedge Antilles are in for the fight of their lives!

Meanwhile, planetside, Luke Skywalker and his captors have joined forces to battle an army of stormtroopers. But Luke's having a hard time focussing his fledgling Jedi powers as he is haunted by the recent knowledge that his father, Anakin Skywalker, was not a hero to the people of Jabiim, but a traitor!

The official comics adaptation of the most anticipated of the Star Wars films! The action of the Clone Wars comes to a dramatic conclusion, and events are put in place for A New Hope. Battles rage in space, armies clash on alien worlds, heroes become martyrs, and friends become enemies-all leading up to the biggest, longest, and most incredible lightsaber duel in Star Wars history.

This is the film that answers the questions, How did Anakin succumb to the dark side? What happened to Luke and Leia's mother? And why are there no Jedi around in the original Trilogy?

Artist Doug Wheatley (Star Wars: Empire volume two) brings a level of life and detail to the adaptation that rivals that of the films themselves. An epic graphic novel not to be missed!

On a rescue mission to Vandos, Padawan Flynn Kybo and his master T'chooka D'oon come face to face with one of the leaders of the Separatist army, General Grievous. After Grievous kills his master, Kybo goes to the Jedi Council with a plan to take out the general before more lives are lost. But when the council rejects his plan, Flynn Kybo decides to take matters in his own hands. Seeking out others who share his feelings, Flynn Kybo sets out toput an end to the cyborg killer. Meanwhile, Grievous has hijacked a transport ship -and its precious cargo may give him an advantage over the Jedi that they would never expect...

• A four-issue must-read series featuring one of the Episode III villains!

On the bleak cemetery world of Boz Pity, the Jedi fight what they hope will be a decisive battle against the Separatists. As a team of powerful Jedi take on Count Dooku, Mace Windu goes one-on-one with General Grievous in a spectacular duel that requires both parties to pull out all the stops!

But Obi-Wan Kenobi cares for none of this. He is concerned with only a single target-the enemy he has pursued across the galaxy. But Obi-Wan doesn't realize that his greatest triumph might also lead to his greatest failure, and destroy everything that makes him a Jedi and a hero.

The exciting conclusion of this story sets the stage for Episode III: Revenge of the Sith!

With his supply lines cut and his Clone army decimated, General Oppo Rancisis fears he will not have the forces to prevent Dark Jedi Sora Bulq from taking the Morgukai Shadow Army off-world to threaten the galaxy.

There is a desperate plan for a foray into the magma tunnels of Saleucami, but before the plan can be carried out, Rancisis is attacked by Anzati assassins and by Sora Bulq himself. Meanwhile, Tholme confronts his former padawan, and the battle between them has deadly consequences!

The "new" Star Wars Tales continues! Thousands of years before the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker, there were other Jedi who grappled with the same human emotions that overwhelmed the man who became Darth Vader. During the time of the Old Republic, three young Jedi in particular-one bearing the surname Qel Droma-traveled the Sith Homeworld of Korriban intending to finish their Order's "Great Hunt." What they find lurking in their own hearts proves more dangerous than any prey they're after, in this prequel to the popular Knights of the Old Republic video game. Also in this issue: the tragic third chapter in the story of lone Jedi Darca Nyl. Sophisticated yet easily accessible-it's Star Wars comics at their best!

They've been responsible for some of the most dazzling and awe-inspiring visuals ever put to film, and now the concept artists, behind the Star Wars prequels are bringing their considerable talents to comics.

Just in time for Star Wars: Episode III, the wildly gifted minds of the Lucasfilm art department and visual effects powerhouse Industrial Light & Magic come together to tell their own Star Wars tales in this compilation of short stories. Given free reign to explore any and every aspect of the Star Wars universe, each artist offers a new twist or a deeper view into that galaxy far, far away. Nowhere else will you find a more pure or more different look at George Lucas' enduring creation than through the eyes of the Star Wars: Visionaries.

• This is the first time a group of Star Wars movie concept artists and designers have written and drawn comics stories.
• With the release of the motion picture, Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith in spring 2005, Star Wars mania will be at a fever pitch.

Super Manga Blast! celebrates its milestone fiftieth issue with a fan art contest that will see two lucky readers win original art by SMB! creators Yuzo Takada (3x3 Eyes) and Hiroyuki Utatane (Seraphic Feather)! Signed sketches of heroines Pai and Attim M-Zak are up for grabs, along with other primo Dark Horse Manga prizes.

This month's Shadow Star episode features a confrontation between the two main groups of teen dragon bearers. With an alien menace still on Earth, the Cannon God Exaxxion team plans its next move, while u.n. super-agents battle meta-human terrorists in seraphic feather. romantic tensions continue to build in club 9, and the odd humor of what's michael? continues to satisfy.

By popular demand, Eisner Award-winner Tony Millionaire returns to bring you another charming adventure.

Here is a book that contains two stories in one. On the right-hand side is a story about a sock monkey getting his foot snagged on a tack as he's going down the stairs. As he rambles around Ann Louise's Victorian house, he unravels. On the left-hand page is a story about Ann Louise finding a ball of yarn and beginning to knit a sock monkey.

The stories merge as the book unfolds and the adventure develops.

USAGI YOJIMBO #83STAN SAKAI (W/A)
On sale March 30, b&w, 32pg, $2.99

Internationally celebrated storyteller Stan Sakai continues his tales of samurai adventure in Usagi Yojimbo! This issue begins a multipart story with the discovery of gold in a mountain range. The hunter who finds it is captured and tortured by a power-hungry lord, but there is another problem: the gold technically lies in the neighboring Geishu Province. As if that weren't enough news for the Geishu border, there is a sudden outbreak of the plague! Lord Noriyuki sends his bodyguard Tomoe to investigate, and she and her retinue soon enter a village in the "hot zone"…with lethal results! What new perils threaten this beloved character? And what about the gold? Find out in the first part of "The Treasure of the Mother of Mountains," this month in Usagi Yojimbo!

We have brought our beautiful friend Bettie forward as a lovingly-crafted mini-bust. Derek Handy, known for his outstanding work at Gentle Giant Studios, has lavished care and dedication on the creation of this stunning piece. Bettie's enduring popularity is due to her unique ability to combine a girl-next-door innocence with the sensuality of a smoldering vixen. It's a delicate balance, but Mr. Handy has captured it. Measuring 6" tall, with a translucent lilac material strategically placed, this quality item is a "must-have" for Bettie's fans and collectors of sculptures. Numbered limited-edition- edition size not set as of press time. Packaged in deluxe color box.

We just can't get enough of that fiery little devil and his ghostly friend! Imported from France and sculpted of the highest quality by Demons and Merveilles, these classic Harvey Comics characters continue to bring praise from customers. When we added Casper the Friendly Ghost to our line of Hot Stuff goods, we got an overwhelming response. Because of high demand, we are pleased to offer two new items: Photo Clips! These little statues have clips attached so that you can display photos, postcards, etc. They make great desk-mates!

From Junko Mizuno, creator of the "Miznotic Fantasy" and "Hellbabies" stationery sets and journal, it's the "Chika Fantasy Night" coaster set. Junko's beautifully colored illustrations have received great acclaim in recent years for her cute, yet dark manga style. Included in the tin with the coasters is a drink recipe book which includes concoctions such as the horrifyingly delicious Blood of Chika (Junko's Bloody Mary recipe) and Peach Night. Have your drinks and try new recipes too!

A new release in our import program of large vinyl Star Wars figures from well-respected figure modelers Kotobukiya: Chewbacca.

Han Solo's faithful co-pilot, Chewie is a reliable ally of the rebel army. Poised and ready to defend himself, it's easy to imagine Chewbacca's distinct voice as he roars at an onslaught of Stormtroopers or leads Princess Leia to safety.

As fans are discovering, The Jim Henson Company is producing a very special film by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean-Mirror Mask.

This month, Dark Horse continues its line of Mirror Mask items with the Really Useful Journal, the Dark Queen bust sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios, and our third PVC set featuring Dark Queen, the Music Box People, and Gryphon.